Saints striker James Beattie is in line for a double celebration as he looks set to scoop both the Barclaycard Premiership and Daily Echo player of the month awards for November.

The in-form hitman has scored nine goals in his last seven Premiership matches and netted four in four league matches last month, including a double against reigning champions Arsenal.

His blistering run of form has taken him to the top of the Premiership scoring charts where he sits alongside Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Gianfranco Zola.

The likely award of the Premiership's player of the month could come on top of the Echo's monthly prize - voted for by the fans.

Beattie faces competition for the trophy from Antti Niemi and Chris Marsden with the winner being presented with the award before tomorrow's St Mary's match against Birmingham.

The man who added to his goal tally with an injury time winner against West Ham on Monday night said after the game: "I am getting the headlines but they are the ones creating the chances for me to stick away. It was a great cross by Brett Ormerod on his wrong foot on Monday night and I just had to steer it into the net.

"I love scoring goals and getting on this sort of run but I owe a lot to the rest of the lads who deserve a lot of credit."

Beattie's form has also led him being mentioned as a strong possibility for a call-up to Sven Goran Eriksson's next England squad.

However, Beattie is just concentrating on tomorrow's match and added: "The win against Arsenal would have counted for very little if we had not got at least a point Monday night.

"People would have said that win was a fluke so we needed to keep it going. Now we have a chance to really push on although we won't get carried away - the gaffer will make sure of that!

"We will just keep going and working hard and preparing in the right way and see how far we can go. Everyone is enjoying it right now and smiling and things are good."

Blunder keeper Jerzy Dudek accepts that the time is right to give Chris Kirkland his chance as Liverpool's number one.

But the Polish star, who made a shock appearance in the club's Worthington Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Ipswich, claims that fourth round tie was ''one of the best nights of my career''.

Dudek will now take a rest to allow England Under 21 youngster Kirkland to have a ''run of games'' starting with Saturday's Premiership clash at Charlton, followed by next Thursday's UEFA Cup return with Vitesse Arnhem and the following weekend's game at Sunderland.

Then Dudek, if boss Gerard Houllier continues his policy of playing the number two 'keeper in the Worthington Cup, can expect a return for the quarter final at Aston Villa the following week.

Dudek will now have a few weeks out of the limelight to reflect on the horror spell that has cost him his place in the first team, culminating in the terrible error that gave Manchester United and Diego Forlan their first goal in last weekend's 2-1 victory at Anfield.

Dudek said: ''It wasn't easy for me to play against Ipswich after a few bad games, but the fans were brilliant. The lads were fantastic as well.

''Everyone gave me confidence. The main people to thank are the supporters because I didn't expect the reception they gave me.

''In the last seven years I have never had a spell like this. I just have to make sure I come out of the bad period as soon as possible and I know I will have the backing of everyone at the club to help me do that.

''I know they won't let me be alone. They will be right there with me to help me.''

Dudek got a massive ovation from the Anfield fans, which shocked him.

He said: ''There is something special about this club and the boss told me before the game that I don't yet know or understand how special our fans are.

''He told me they would make sure I wasn't walking alone and I saw that for myself. It was so emotional.

''I've never known anything like this before. My friends from Poland have been sending me texts telling me that the sun doesn't shine every day.

''I know I can't be happy with my recent performances, even though I've had fans coming up to me in the streets and telling me not to worry. It has been tough, very tough, but I'm confident I'll get through it. If I get a few weeks' rest now then I will come back stronger.''

But Dudek admitted he has agonised over the fumble that has cost him his first team place.

He said: ''I couldn't believe what happened because I felt good in the game and then everything went wrong for me. It was a nightmare.

''Looking back, I'm pleased I played against Ipswich. The boss said to me 'I know you don't really want to play and you want to rest, but if you have a car accident then the sooner you get back into the car the better'.

''He told me everyone would be on my side and that no-one would let me down.

''I saw Salif Diao after the game and he had a red shirt on under his top which said 'Jerzy - You'll Never Walk Alone'. I've never known anything like that before. It's fantastic.''